SPEAKING OF $$$$.... MEDAL TALKS

BY DAN MILLER
(posted September 14, 2004)

In these weeks following the Olympics, most of the U.S. athletes have quietly slipped back into private life, many of them retiring from competition after years of training and conditioning.

Even the ones who didn't win medal will have a lifetime of rich memories and stories about a remarkable experience few of us will ever know.

But for many of those who earned medal, the lucrative speaking circuit is now taking up their time.
USA Today reports that Corporate America is paying Olympic stars anywhere from $2,500 to $60,000 per speech. For some, just one or two speeches a month, and they can earn an income few Americans can match.

Prior to the games, swimming star Michael Phelps was getting $15,000 per speech.
And now that he struck so much gold, that fee is up around $25,000.

Companies looking for a speaker with an emotional tug to motivate their sales forces will pay Paul Hamm $15,000 per speech. He's the gymnast who staged one of the greatest comebacks in Olympic history.

Carly Patterson, the first U.S. woman to win the all-round gold medal since Mary Lou Retton in 1984, is probably earning about $15,000 every time she takes to the podium. And you should start seeing her on product endorsements any day now.

And Mark Spitz.... remember him.... seven gold medals at the 1972 Games.
Up until the recent Olympics, Spitz had done 20 speaking engagements this year at $15,000 each.
But then, because Michael Phelps failed to break his record, Spitz is now getting around $30,000. And this is 32 years after he struck gold!

And I'll mention one other Olympic star.
Bob Costas, NBC's prime time TV host for the Games.
According to USA Today, he does very few speeches, but when he does, he's pulling in $60,000 per speech.
But I doubt he could clear 7 feet in the long jump.

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